A New Beginning

Chapter 3: Peaceful Time

Peace is liberty in tranquility.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

ooOoo

It was weird how they all fitted together as a family, Markus mused to himself once during dinner. He and Kurt have been startled upon finding themselves meeting Elisabeth and Hermione. They had just come home from one year of traveling, and it took quite a lot of explanation as to why they now had two new ten years old sisters. After he got to know each of them, though, Markus wished that he was still in Hogwarts to protect them; or best to shelter them all at home. If they could read his mind, Markus knew that they would hit him immediately with one of their large tomes. He chuckled to himself at the thought. Both were so tiny in their ten years old bodies, but he knew that they could be downright terrified if they wanted to.

T

hey knew that Hermione and Elisabeth were not actual twins, what with Hermione adopted to his family, and only knew Elisabeth for a mere day before that. Though, they would have fooled everybody with how well they got on together. They both passionate about books and could be found in the library daily after their lessons. Sometimes the rest of the family would join them, and that was where the house elves usually found the Derwent for dinner.

His mother has taken it on herself to teach them Pureblood etiquette and traditions. Hermione has complained at first, said that it went against her feminism view. However, his mother would have none of it. Adelia was known for getting things her way for nothing, so Hermione soon accepted the lesson. Markus could saw how Hermione gradually agree and eventually like it. She would groan less and less after it was over. He and Kurt even got the honor to help them in their dance lessons, where he could tell that Hermione enjoyed them immensely. Hermione even let him know that she used to be a ballerina when she was younger, which helped them skimmed through the walking lessons easily. It was not as if they needed them; both Hermione and Elisabeth already held themselves with confidence and grace that others wished to accomplish. Markus could also tell that Kurt and Elisabeth enjoyed those dance lessons too. They got the chance for the 'father and daughter' dance they hadn't and wouldn't have. He even saw a few tears shed on their faces during the first dance they shared.
Elisabeth, the future niece that he would never now have. She was Derwent through and through. Her peculiar hair was already a telltale sign for the outsider. Studious like a Ravenclaw but also ambitious like a Slytherin. She was loyal to a fault and could be vicious once someone hurt her people. People should be wise and not touch what was her. Elisabeth would do any Derwent proud. Truthfully, both Elisabeth and Hermione would do them proud, Markus was sure of it.

From what they have told him, Markus knew that things about to get dangerous soon. He was scared of the danger his family would go into in just a few years. Markus wouldn't back down, though. He has promised himself to fight tooth and nail for them, especially his two new special sisters. "Pariter Magis Valemus" meant "Together We Are Stronger" in Latin. It was their family motto, and he would stand by it regardless of what might happen. He would contend himself with researching ways to aid them for now; that what he was best at after all. Voldemort would soon regret touching his family, he thought darkly.

ooOoo

In less than two months living here, Hermione has somehow came to consider Derwent Manor home. She mourned her old life, of course. Hermione cried for each and one of them when they appeared in her dreams. Hermione often wondered when will be her next time seeing them again. She was not quite sure if she would be lucky enough to survive the war this time.